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Definitions
markedly different from an accepted norm
"To speak loudly in a library would be considered aberrant behavior."
"The aberrant bull had only a single horn."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
An attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or real; false display; artificial show.
"Most people introduce themselves at parties with great affectation to make themselves seem more interesting."
"Her obnoxious affectation was made clear when she would practically adopt a new personality at dinner parties."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
extreme greed for material wealth
"His avarice lead him to steal from everyone, even the poor."
"Avarice blinds us from the true pleasures in life."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
Aggressively hostile, eager to fight.
"The belligerent family could not stop fighting one another."
"The belligerent general was not interested in diplomacy."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
To punish severely; to criticize severely; to reprimand severely.
"Some people respond well to being castigated while others prefer more indirect reproval."
"His hypocrisy showed as he castigated others for doing something he had done himself."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Appropriate social behavior; propriety
"The judge tried her best to keep decorum in the rowdy courtroom."
"Decorum at the party was lost once the drinks came out."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
A yielding of judgment or preference from respect to the wishes or opinion of another; submission in opinion; regard; respect; complaisance.
"It's best to speak to a judge with deference and respect."
"He had great deference for his mentor."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
An amateur, someone who dabbles in a field out of casual interest rather than as a profession or serious interest.
"He was only a dilettante; he would easily lose if challenged by a professional chess player."
"The dilettante still only knew how to play one or two songs on the piano."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
A mournful poem or piece of music composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person.
"The dirge was recited by the best friend of the deceased at the funeral."
"The dirge left the listeners contrite and reflective on the ephemeral nature of life."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
To draw out, bring out, bring forth (something latent); to obtain information from someone or something.
"Most horror movies elicit fear and terror out of the viewers."
"They sent out multiple reminder emails as to elicit a response."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
To free from accusation or blame.
"His plausible alibi exonerated him from any guilt."
"The pardon exonerated him from his crimes."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.
"He ignored the warning of his learned advisors with a facetious dismissal."
"The debaters chose to use facetious remarks instead of substantial arguments."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Lacking grace and perceptivity in social situations; crude; tactless; socially inept.
"Young children are allowed to be gauche at a formal event like a wedding."
"His gauche behavior was inappropriate at the formal event."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
Shining; emitting or reflecting light; brilliant; bright
"The luminous documentary certainly brought out new perspectives on the controversial figure's life."
"Some fish have luminous bodies to help them see in the deep ocean."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
Tearful; easily moved to tears; exciting to tears; excessively sentimental; weak and silly.
"Her mood has been generally maudlin since the passing of her dog."
"The funeral was a maudlin affair."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
Hurtful; harmful; baneful; pernicious; injurious; destructive; unwholesome; insalubrious; ; pernicious; corrupting to morals.
"Cigarettes have plenty of noxious materials that are unsafe for inhalation."
"Noxious gases were used as a weapon of war in WWI."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
Characterized by generosity to others; loving or helping mankind.
"The philanthropic billionaire did not hesitate to offer large portions of his wealth to charities."
"It is more difficult to be philanthropic when you have little money to spare."
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
Lacking in appreciation for art or culture
"My philistine friend appreciates a 5-star restaurant just as much as a his favorite burger joint."
"Don't expect a philistine person to enjoy a musical."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
capable of being influenced or formed
"His plastic heart could fall in and out of love with multiple partners within a day."
"The brain is more plastic in early life."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
An often-quoted saying that is supposed to be meaningful but has become unoriginal or hackneyed through overuse; a cliche.
"The platitude "love conquers all" makes many people cringe."
"The cookie cutter film was filled with platitudes and tropes."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
To conciliate, appease or make peace with someone, particularly a god or spirit.
"He chose to fast for a few days in order to propitiate the gods for his wrongdoing."
"He offered to replace the door he broke to propitiate the landlord."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
"The lack of decorum was a puerile display of youthful ignorance."
"The jokes that teenagers say are often puerile."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
"Kelly was clearly a sycophant when compared to the other classmates; the teacher's pet always offered to grab the assignments for the teacher."
"The celebrity preferred to date someone who was not just a sycophant of her work."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
give extra weight to (a communication)
"The baby impala's willingness to walk near the lion underscored its youthful naivete."
"The fact that they were tourists was underscored by their odd comments about things that would seem mundane to the locals."
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
Capricious; odd; peculiar; playful; light-hearted or amusing.
"Vacation is the time to be whimsical and go with the flow."
"He had a more whimsical and care-free approach to life."
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
